Chipmunks show signs of potentially lethal virus
Saturday, Jan. 11, 1997 | 11:59 a.m.
Positive antibodies were identified in six chipmunks during a routine rodent survey, said Daniel Maxson, a senior environmental health specialist at the Clark County Health District. But that doesn't mean they are infectious, he said, adding that further tests will show if the chipmunks carry the virus.
Maxson still advises outdoor lovers to exercise caution.
"We are trying to define the scope of the animal population in the wild that can transmit this," he said. "The emphasis was always on mice. Now I think we have to be more general in terms of saying, 'Stay away from cute little chipmunks and cute little squirrels."'
Area health officials have been testing chipmunks and other rodents since the 1993 identification of hantavirus in the Southwest. Previously, only mice tested positive, Maxson said.
Hantavirus is fatal nearly 50 percent of the time. Symptoms include a high fever and body aches, followed by a rapid onset of respiratory failure.
Clark County health officials routinely advise hikers to steer clear of rodent droppings or urine when opening sheds or other seldom-used buildings.
Hantavirus antibodies have been identified previously in other parts of the country, said Stephen St. Jeor, a Reno-based virologist.
"But when people have done tests with chipmunks, no one has found any virus in the blood of the chipmunks," said St. Jeor, professor of microbiology at the University of Nevada School of Medicine. "What it probably means is that it's some kind of past exposure to the virus, but they are no longer infectious."
Viral results are expected within the next several weeks.
archive
- Most Read
- Discussed
- Most E-mailed
- Trial delayed for man accused of shooting 3 officers
- Kruger hoping his team will play with grit
- Ten minutes with Chelsea Handler is better than no minutes with Chelsea Handler
- Pricing out wagers on the Pacquiao-Cotto fight
- RTC bus driver fired, arrested after allegedly attacking woman
- Two second-graders involved in shooting at bus stop
- CityCenter Realtors hit with cut in commissions
- Privé owner files for bankruptcy protection in Florida
- Shanghai’s maglev: Flying with both feet on the ground
- Trainers scuffle at Manny Pacquiao, Miguel Cotto weigh-in
Blogs
The Greene Room
Predicting this weekend's Mountain West football slate
Top Chef: Las Vegas
Top Chef Episode 11: Child's play
Miech Again
UNLV prez Smatresk is ready for some basketball (5 Comments)
Politics: The Early Line
Harry Reid's fourth TV ad begins running today
The Greene Room
Chad Ochocinco vs. Anderson Silva? That would be a sight ... (4 Comments)
Top Chef: Las Vegas
The Jet Stream: The three stages of chefdom
Miech Again
Rebels rookie Lopez says redshirting is his best move (12 Comments)
Calendar »
- 14 Sat
- 15 Sun
- 16 Mon
- 17 Tue
- 18 Wed
-
Pacquiao vs. Cotto at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
MGM Grand Garden Arena | 6 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Friends of India Diwali Celebration at Cashman Field with Dan Nainan
Cashman Field | 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m.
-
Norm MacDonald at the House of Blues
House of Blues
-
Boulder City Art Guild Winter Fest Fine Art Show
Boulder City Parks & Recreation
-
John Fogerty at the Star of the Desert Arena
Star of the Desert Arena | 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.
-
Emeril Lagasse Foundation’s 5th annual Carnivale du Vin
The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino | 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
The Sun
Locally owned and independent for more than 50 years.
Technorati








